1775 - WILL OF RICHARD CREECH
Shared by Roy G. Creech
Richard Creech was killed by Tories at the beginning of the American Revolution in 1775. After he was killed, the younger children were reared by his brothers Simon and Ezekiel, Sr. Later the widow Mary Creech married Thomas Killen, a neighbor and one of the Executors of his Will. His birthplace was in old Johnston county, NC, now in Greene county. Of special note, Cumberland county representatives criticized the English for their treatment of the coloniesin June 1775 (Wheeler, John Hill, Cumberland County, Chapter XXXIII, IN "Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584-1851", Regional Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1974 (copy in file of Roy G. Creech)! Hostilities had openly begun and an undeclared civil war was underway in NC in 1775. The Tories were on a rampage to suppress the rebellion! Roy G. Creech
Introduction errors corrected March 05, 2003 Myrtle Bridges
Read the transcription on this page, or click on link below to read copy of the original will.
In the name of God amen. I Richard Creech Senior of Cumberland County and province of North Carolina, planter being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory blessed be God, do this first day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy five make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following. That is to say Imprimis, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the earth from whence it came in hopes of a joyful resurrection through the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and as for that worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I dispose thereof as follows. First, I desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my said estate. Item, I give and bequeath unto my eldest son Richard Creech five shillings sterling in money. Also, I give unto my son William one shilling sterling; also to my son Charles one shilling sterling; also my daughter Lidey Creech; also Roberds one shilling sterling. Item, I give bequeath and devise unto my loving wife Mary Creech her heirs and assigns forever my land and plantation whereon I now live, containing two hundred acres of land together with all the improvements, orchards and buildings together with all the remainder of my personal estate consisting of household furniture, plantation tules [tools] meat cattle, hogs and horses. All which I Richard Creech, Senior do hereby give bequeath and devise unto my said wife, Mary Creech, her heirs or assigns forever after my decease, and I do hereby constitute, make and ordain my trusted and well beloved Friends, David Smith Esquire, and Mr. Thomas Killen and Mary Creech my executors and executrix of my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and executories by me in anywise named, willed, or bequeathed rectifying and confirming this and none other to my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I the said Richard Creech have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the first day of May in the 15th year of the Reign of our Sovern Lord George the Third and in the year of Our Lord 1775
Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Cornelius Loftin
James Smylie
Gensid (?) Craig
Source: Cumberland County Wills (Unbound) 1757-1955 Richard Creech 1775 - NC Archives
See a Copy of the 1775 Original Will of Richard Creech
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